Banner qualify for senior league final

Banner Ladies                  3-14
West Clare Gaels               0-7
Banner Ladies recorded a comfortable win over West Clare Gaels in the Division 1 League semi-final in Miltown on Saturday evening.
It was very evident that Banner had a number of matches played since the side’s last meeting in the senior championship final six weeks ago when just a point separated them.
Emma O’Driscoll produced a few fine saves and was called in to action in the opening minute when she saved well from Niamh Lardner. Banner had four points on the board through Niamh Keane and Niamh O’Dea (3) before Maria Kelly kicked two fine points for the westerners and when Lardner followed with another it looked like patrons were going to be treated to another close encounter as they have become accustomed to when these sides have met in recent times.
O’Dea and Rebecca Culligan rattled West Clare Gaels with a goal each while O’Dea and Niamh Keane again pointed. Niamh Lardner had the final score of the half and her side retired 2-6 to 0-4 adrift when Michael Bohannon blew the half-time whistle.
West Clare Gaels just managed three points in the second half through Bríd Troy, Lardner and substitute Lisa McMahon while Banner had a goal from team captain, Aoife Cavanagh.
Their U-14 stars, Grainne Nolan, who played the full game and Niamh O’Brien, who was introduced in the second half, scored two points each as did O’Dea and Susan McNamara in the second half.
Emma O’Driscoll, Clare Walsh, Louise Woods and Naomi Carroll in addition to the scorers did well for the county champions while Maria Kelly and Niamh Lardner were best for a disappointing West Clare Gaels.
Banner Ladies: Emma O’Driscoll; Laurie Ryan, Clare Walsh, Sinead O’Keeffe; Eva O’Dea, Louise Woods, Orlaith Lynch; Louise Henchy, Naomi Carroll; Grainne Nolan (0-2), Niamh Keane (0-2), Aoife Cavanagh (captain, 1-0); Rebecca Culligan (1-0), Niamh O’Dea (1-6), Susan McNamara (0-2).
Subs: Orla Hennessy for S O’Keeffe; Niamh O’Brien (0-2) for G Nolan.
West Clare Gaels: Megan McGrath; Colette Keniry, Grainne Harvey, Kathleen Foley; Marie Foran, Deirdre Troy, Rita Boland; Michelle Downes (captain), Shauna Harvey; Ailish Brew, Denise Geaney, Maria Kelly (0-2); Niamh Lardner (0-3), Bríd Troy (0-1), Katie Geoghegan.
Subs: Suzi O’Gorman for C Keniry; Lisa McMahon (0-1) for A Brew; Mary Beth Downes for G Harvey; Tracey Downes for S O’Gorman; Lorraine Ryan for B Troy.
Referee: Michael Bohannon.